#readingcomprehension

The author feels that the Maori race is “delegitimised” by Pakeha, and that in the act of trying to connect with the Maori, Pakeha are only complicating this problem. ‘The problem’ is that Maori are seen as an uneducated race. The author believes that the only reason this perspective is held by Pakeha is because their methods of education differ to those the Maori use. To change this, she wishes to educate the masses of delegitimised Maori using cultural methods they are familiar with.
I found this text compelling as it was written in first person, but the author spoke on behalf of an entire race, and on behalf of anybody who felt their own identity was also suppressed by the academic system. She uses personal pronouns when describing the Maori race and their customs, as she feels she is acting as a representative for everyone who identifies as Maori. This point of view is effective in communicating the purpose of the text; people must unite within their ethnic groups in order to retain their cultural values and traditions. The indignant tone of voice used throughout the text forces us to think about the issue at hand and why it is indeed an issue. I appreciated that the author used her personal experience to bring to light the struggles others are also facing.